Why Is Pinot Noir More Expensive Than Other Wines?

Shopping for a good pinot noir could give you serious sticker shock. The cost of a highly-rated, good-quality pinot noir can easily exceed $100 a bottle, but the price of some of the best-quality pinot noir has been known to surpass that by hundreds of dollars. This is no Trader Joe's famously cheap four-buck-Chuck we're talking about here. What makes Pinot Noir so expensive? It's all about the grape.

Pinot noir is generally a dry red wine that's light in color compared to other reds, but full of flavor. The wine's low tannin content makes its flavor very smooth and subtle (tannins tend to increase a wine's astringency and dry mouthfeel, among other effects).

The grapes used to make pinot noir are very thin-skinned and sensitive to swings in temperature, pests, sunlight, and other changes in their growing environment. They are slowly cultivated in cooler climates and, therefore, have a longer growing period. Unfortunately, that means the fragile crop has more time for things to go wrong and growers need to pay extra attention to ensure a good harvest. All of these factors equal a slim profit margin, so these additional costs incurred by the winemaker must be passed along to the consumer.

Rising temperatures due to climate change could adversely affect the quality of pinot noir grapes. Recently, growers have already been forced to harvest grapes early to avoid the damage caused by high temperatures earlier in the growing season. These changes can affect not only the quality but the quantity of the grapes produced by the vines.

Growers who strive for an organic product free of pesticides face the challenge of tending to a fussy crop without the help of chemicals. This is a labor- and time-intensive process that further drives up the price. Any profits usually go back into the winemaker's business to support the agricultural process and buy equipment like barrels.

If you're looking for a wine to pair with a casual dish like pizza, a pinot noir makes a great accompaniment to an earthy mushroom pizza or a rich pepperoni-loaded slice. It also works especially well with roast and barbecued meats, salmon, and funky cheeses.